How long can YouTube Shorts be? Asked and answered.How long can YouTube Shorts be

How long can YouTube Shorts be? Asked and answered.

The YouTube Shorts length has changed over the years, a la Tweets. Users wanted just a bit more, and YT obliged. Spoiler, it's more than 1 minute long

Elie

Content Creator at Submagic 🧡

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First question out of the way, how long can YouTube Shorts be? Up to three minutes long.

Side note: Don’t you love when you get the answer right up at the top? We do too. At Submagic believe even editing video should be done in 3 clicks. Now, for more context, read on, or try Submagic for free already!

Whether you're uploading from the YouTube app or using YouTube Studio, the new maximum length gives content creators plenty of space to flex their creative wings.

If you’ve been wondering how long can YouTube Shorts be and what this means for your growth strategy, keep reading.

This isn’t just about video length. Finding the right video length is about expanding your reach, crafting a narrative, and increasing monetization potential on one of the biggest social media platforms in the world.

Let’s jump into it.

A quick history of YouTube Shorts length

Before we dive head first into all things YouTube Shorts, we’ve got to roll the tape back for a second.

YouTube Shorts first launched in India in September 2020, shortly after TikTok was banned in the country.

At the time, Shorts were capped at 15 seconds. 15 seconds isn’t much, but it was just enough time to nail a punchline, show a trick, or tease a story.

In reality, it was a bold move to compete in the fast-rising short-form video space.

Here’s a quick timeline of YouTube Short’s progression since launching in 2020:

March 2021: Shorts landed in the United States.
July 2021: A global rollout followed.
Late 2021: The limit was increased to 60 seconds.
Mid 2023: Certain remix features extended video length to 90 seconds.
Early 2024: The official limit was raised to 3-minute Shorts.

This shift toward longer Shorts is a clear indicator that YouTube is adapting to compete with platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok, both of which have also increased their short-form content durations.

Why YouTube moved toward longer Shorts

So, why did YouTube move to longer shorts? The simple answer: creators asked for more time.

With those requests, the algorithm started favoring deeper stories. And YouTube listened.

The push for longer videos is strategic.

YouTube understands that when you give content creators more room to experiment, you increase viewer retention, watch time, and ultimately, revenue sharing opportunities.

For creators chasing monetization, those extra minutes are precious.

YouTube’s new leeway allows you to convert existing videos into Shorts or repurpose your podcast, vlog, or even clips from long-form YouTube videos into vertical videos. Just make sure you’re using using the right aspect ratio (9:16) and within the new ideal length of 3 minutes.

Creating YouTube Shorts that actually perform

The nice thing about creating YouTube Shorts is that you don’t need an entire studio at your disposal. The right editing tools, strong visuals, and engaging hooks work just fine.

And, it’s cost-effective.

Here’s what I’ve seen work for my own YouTube content:

Use templates for faster edits (Submagic has some great ones).
Keep the first 3 seconds eye-catching (This affects how the YouTube algorithm treats your content).
Add royalty free music to set the mood (seriously, silence is a retention killer).
Optimize your pixels (720x1280 minimum) for full-screen display.
Maintain the vertical aspect ratio or risk falling off the Shorts feed.

Want to streamline your workflow for easy editing?

Tools like Submagic help with auto-subtitles, offer tons of royalty free music, and even b-roll inserts. And, it just takes a few clicks. Less time editing and more time creating— a win-win.

Shorts monetization and growth

If you’re familiar with YouTube, you know they have a fantastic monetization program. The same extends to Shorts monetization.

With YouTube’s algorithm now prioritizing viewer engagement over raw views, longer short-form content can help you show up for new audiences more frequently.

Here’s what matters if you’re aiming for monetization:

Retention and replays drive metrics.
Strong intros and mid-roll hooks are your besties.
Hit 1,000 subscribers and 10 million Shorts views in 90 days? Great! It means you’ve checked the eligibility boxes for revenue sharing.

Whether you're making video content to grow your YouTube channel or just testing type of content formats, the three-minute update rolls out the red carpet for new opportunities.

3 minutes is all you need

YouTube is more than a long-form video platform. It’s safe to say it’s a battleground for attention across all formats. And YouTube Shorts are leading the charge.

With the new 3-minute Shorts limit, you’ve got more space to tell better stories, land a punchline, or give real value to your audience. Whether you’re sharing a vlog, podcast clip, or high-concept short clips, you’ve got plenty of time to cover your bases.

So don’t just create. Create smarter.

Our subtitle generator adds captions, audio polish, and visuals in record time. (Less time than it takes to watch a 3 minute YouTube Short!)

It’s perfect for making Shorts that get seen. So, if you’ve got three minutes, make every second count.

Try Submagic for free today.

YouTube Shorts length and strategy

Are Shorts 3 minutes now?

Yes! YouTube extended the maximum length for YouTube Shorts to 3 minutes.

Can YouTube Shorts be 2 minutes?

Absolutely. YouTube Shorts can be 2 minutes. Anything under 3 minutes and shot in the correct aspect ratio qualifies as a Short.

Why can’t I upload 3-minute Shorts on YouTube?

If you can’t upload a Short, check your format. If your video isn’t vertical (9:16), it won’t register. Also, uploading from the YouTube app can sometimes glitch. Keep this in mind and use YouTube Studio if needed.

How long can YouTube Shorts be if I’m monetizing?

If you’re aiming for monetization, YouTube Shorts can be up to 3 minutes. Just make sure you’re hitting the right metrics and using short-form video best practices to keep viewers interacting with your content.

What’s the ideal length for Shorts?
The ideal length for Shorts depends on the type of content. However, 45-90 seconds often performs best. But, if you can hold attention, go the full 3 minutes.

About the author

Elie

Content Creator at Submagic 🧡

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